User-interface support device

ABSTRACT

The current invention provides a user-interface support device comprising a support member having a first side adapted to contact a user-interface device and a pad connected to a second side of the support member opposite the first side, wherein the pad is configured to conform to an external object. The external object can be the user&#39;s lap. The user may interface with the user-interface support device or the user-interface device which is supported by the user-interface support device. The pad, by conforming to an external object, produces increased connected surface area between the pad and the external object. This increased connection area results in increased friction which further increases the stability of the user-interface support device. This process is further enhanced when the external object comprises protuberances.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority and is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/292,919, filed on May 24, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a user-interface support device.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Lap trays are trays that are located on a user's lap, thereby allowing the user to interact with items located on the tray.

[0006] Conventional lap trays tend to shift, move, and, or slide from the original position and, thus, do not provide a stable user environment. In addition, conventional lap trays are ergonomically awkward to utilize. This awkwardness is further pronounced over extended periods of use.

[0007] These and other limitations restrict and/or preclude many uses of conventional lap trays.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved lap tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to attain the objects suggested above, there is provided, according to one aspect of the present invention, a user-interface support device is supplied that comprises a support member having a first side adapted to contact a user-interface device and a pad connected to a second side of the support member opposite the first side, wherein the pad is configured to conform to an external object. The external object can be the user's lap. The user may interface with the user-interface support device or the user-interface device which is supported by the user-interface support device. The pad, by conforming to an external object, produces increased connected surface area between the pad and the external object. This increased connection area results in increased friction which further increases the stability of the user-interface support device. This process is further enhanced when the external object comprises protuberances.

[0010] In an another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a user-interface support device with a support member having a first side adapted to contact a user-interface device and an angular device connected to a second side of the support member opposite the first side, wherein the angular device is configured to conform to an external object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a user-interface support device; and

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates a user-interface support device positioned on a user's lap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the inventive user-interface support device 100 comprises a support member 110 and a pad 150. The support member 110 comprises a first side 112 and a second side 111 which is opposite the first side. The pad 150 comprises a top side and a bottom side. The support member first side 112 is adapted to support a user-interface device. The support member second side 111 connects to a pad 150. The bottom side of the pad 150 rests on a user.

[0015] The first side 112 may include a friction tape 114. The friction tape 114 reduces movement of an item placed on the first side 112. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first side 112 may include high friction patterns or geometrical shapes that reduce movement of an item placed on the first side 112, such as, but not limited to, grooves, channels, bumps, rails, borders, recesses, depressions, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, slots, buckles, laces, straps, inserts, ledges, velcro tabs, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 has a hook 125 positioned on an external surface for channeling cords associated with the user-interface devices.

[0016] In addition, the user-interface support device 100 comprises an enclosed storage area accessed through the hatch 116. The hatch 116 comprises the handle 118 and the hinge 120. The hinge 120 is secured to the hatch 116 and the first side 112 by the screws 122. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge is secured to the hatch by any securing means such as, but not limited to, nails, glue, plastic, etc. The hatch 116, handle 118, hinge 120, and screws 112 are recessed so that they are flush with the surface of first side 112.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the storage compartment may be insulated with insulation material to maintain the temperature of the storage compartment. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the storage area extends beyond the second side 111 of support member 110. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the storage area is accessed from the side of the user-interface support device 100, this includes, but is not limited to sides of the support member 110, the sides of the pad 150, the bottom side of the pad 150, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the storage area is accessed through a sliding door. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 comprises a storage area.

[0018] The support member 110 may comprise wood. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 can be any material that is rigid, such as, but not limited to plastic, metal, composites, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 may include padding material or recesses positioned where a user's wrist, hand, or fingers may come into contact with the support member 110.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 may include a hinge 126 that allows the support member 110 to fold over. The fold 126 can occur inward or outward from the first side 110. The folding of the user-interface support device 100 allows the device to be more easily carried and/or stored. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the hinge 126 that provides the support member 110 to fold over includes a latch which prevents the support member 110 from folding when not intended.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device 100 includes a first connector 170 that connects the user-interface support device with an external or other device. The connector 170 can be located anywhere at, in or on the user-interface support device 100. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device includes a second connector 180 that connects the user-interface support device with a user interface device. The connector 180 can be located anywhere at any surface area of the user-interface support device 100. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 170 is connected to the second connector 180.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 170 is, for example, but not limited to, a power connector, an electronic data connector, an infra-red connector, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, second connector 180 is, for example, but not limited to, a power connector, an electronic data connector, an infra-red connector, etc.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device 100 has a self-contained power supply, such as, but not limited to batteries.

[0023] The bottom side of the pad 150 contacts and rests on the lap of a user who is interfacing with the user-interface support device 100. The pad 150 conforms to the shape of the user's lap thereby creating increased surface contact between the pad 150 and the user's lap. Alternatively, the pad 150 can be permanently molded to the shape of the user's lap. Such molded shape can be individual to each user or the pad 150 can be provided in multiple sizes to generically fit different users. This increased contact provides increased friction forces between the user and the pad 150. The amount of friction is also dependent upon the weight of the lap support, which is based on the material used to construct the lap support, and the weigh of the items place in or on the lap support. A user's lap includes a user's upper legs and more specifically, a user's front facing thighs. The conforming nature (and/or molded shape) of the pad 150 anchors the user-interface support device 100 with the user's lap. Pushing gently on the user-interface support device 100, anchors the user-interface support device 100 to even a greater degree. In addition, the increased conforming nature of the pad 150 further reduces the per unit area weight on any one position of the user's lap. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 conforms to the laps of multiple users.

[0024] A user interfaces with the user-interface support device 100. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support device 100 can be shared by multiple users. When the user-interface device is a computer screen, multiple users can share viewing the screen. When the user-interface device is a computer keyboard, multiple users can share the keyboard.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 contacts for example, but not limited to, an animate object, an empty seat, a chair, an inanimate object, a floor, a couch, an arm of a couch or chair, an airplane seat, flat placement surfaces, bumpy placement surfaces, placement surfaces on an angle, sandy placement surfaces, hard placement surfaces, soft or pliable placement surfaces, a user's lower legs, a user's single leg, or any other user body part, including the user's body parts or another person.

[0026] The pad 150 may be filled with ballast. The ballast includes pliable material that allows the pad 150 to conform to any animate or inanimate shape, whether even or uneven, such as, for example, but not limited to, a user's lap. The conforming nature of the ballast provides the stabilizing forces that reduces movement of the user-interface support device 100. The characteristics of the ballast, for example, but not limited to, ballast granularity, ballast size, ballast shape, ballast weight, ballast longevity, and ballast pliability, can be varied to create varying levels of stability.

[0027] The ballast, for example, includes conforming material such as, but is not limited to, beads, poly-propelene, doll pillow stuffing, liquid, air, gas, sand, Styrofoam, metal, plastic, cotton, natural or fabricated material, etc. The conforming nature of the ballast material allows the pad to create a snug and stable interface between the user's lap and the user-interface support device 100. The snug and stable relationship between the user's lap and the user-interface support device 100 provides support for user-interface devices that are of greater weight than the user-interface support device 100.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 includes baffles 160 and can be inflated to create a rigid environment. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 includes baffles 160. The baffles 160 comprise conforming ballast material. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 and/or the pad 150 comprise inflatable air baffles 160. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 and the pad 150 includes baffles 160 comprising air and can be deflated when not in use.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 or pad 150 includes an elastic material. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 includes material that creates friction between the bottom side of the pad 150 and the user's lap and/or any other surface the pad 150 is in contact with such as, but not limited to, plastic, cloth, rubber, synthetics, natural fibers, non-naturally occurring fibers, corduroy, leatherette, light duty leatherette, etc.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 150 includes multiple baffles 160. Multiple baffles provide additional flexibility in conforming the pad 150 to a surface. For example, the ballast for one baffle may be a different material than the ballast for a second baffle. Each ballast material has a unique surface conforming characteristic and thus, can be used, when the surface friction or shape varies. In addition, the amount of ballast material can be varied among the multiple baffles thereby producing differing conforming characteristics. Thus, for example, on a plane where the surface may include a lap and a seat arm-rail, the baffle in contact with the user's lap includes ballast material with a lesser conforming characteristic while the baffle in contact with the seat arm-rail includes ballast material with a greater conforming characteristic, thereby creating a more stable user environment.

[0031] The stability of the user-interface support device 100 involves multiple interacting forces, such as, but not limited to the conformability of the pad 150 with the user's lap, material located within the pad 150, the weight of the user-interface support device 100, the weight of a particular user-interface device, the number baffles, the location of the baffles, the ballast material, the elasticity of the pad 150 material, coefficient of friction for the pad 150 material, the surface material that interfaces with the pad 150, the coefficient of friction of the surface material that interfaces with the pad 150, etc.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device 100 further includes an anchoring device 128 that anchors the user-interface support device to the user, the external object, or another person, such as but not limited to, straps, belts, harness, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device 100 further includes an anchoring device that anchors the user-interface device to the user-interface support device, such as but not limited to, straps, belts, harness, etc.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 includes, for example, but not limited to, width and length dimensions commensurate with width and length dimensions of commercial lap-top computers, width and length dimensions commensurate with width and length dimensions commercial computer keyboards.

[0034] The present invention, by creating a stable environment at various placement surface positions, allows the user to place the present invention at a position that is ergonomically compatible with the individual user, thus providing the user with increased dexterity and use and reduces user fatigue and discomfort. A user can place the user-interface support device 100 at a location whereby the user's interface with the user-interface support device 100 or a user-interface device is natural to the human body, i.e., at a location that does not increase stress on the bodies natural stress points or areas, such as, but not limited to, the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, back, etc. In addition, the ergonomic design of the present invention reduces muscle cramps and eye strains. The present invention, by utilizing an ergonomic design, allows a user to operate the user-interface support device 100 and/or a user-interface device with dexterity and for extended periods of time.

[0035] In addition, the present invention is light weight. Reduced weight reduces stress on the body while the user is interfacing with the present invention. In addition, the reduced weight makes the present invention easier to transport. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention weighs less than half a pound. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the present invention weighs as little as 2 ounces when, for example, the support member 110 and the pad 150 includes ballasts filled with air or Styrofoam, and the surrounding material includes for example, but not limited to, rubber (e.g., balloon rubber). In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the weight of the user-interface support device 100 is proportional to the weight of the user-interface device.

[0036] The present invention provides a stable environment to place user-interface devices, such as, but not limited to, computers, computer related devices, computer keyboards, computer mouses, video displays, audio devices, palm pilots, memory devices, computer drivers, telecommunication devices, such as but not limited to phones, pagers, etc., electronic devices and equipment, such as but not limited to clocks, radios, remote controls, etc.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the pad 150 and the support member 110 includes communications media, such as but not limited to print advertising, corporate logos, etc.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the user-interface support device includes a receiver, a transmitter, and/or a transceiver 127.

[0039]FIG. 2 is an illustration of the user-interface support device 100 located on a user's lap. As shown, the pad 150 bottom side rests on a user 280. The user 280 interfaces with a user-interface device 214 with hands 216, eyes 217, and ears 218. The user 280 creates a lap area 290 by nature of the user's sitting position. The lap area 290, in general, includes any area from the stomach to the knees. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the lap area can be created by multiple body positions, including, but not limited to any position where the upper thighs are together and not vertical to the ground, where at least one thigh is not vertical to the ground.

[0040] As discussed above, the user-interface device 214 may include a computer keyboard and a mouse 224. The support member first side 212 may also include an integrated mouse pad 226. The support member 210 includes wireless data connector 127.

[0041] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A user-interface support device comprising: a support member having a first side adapted to support a user-interface device; and a pad connected to a second side of said support member opposite said first side, wherein said pad is configured to conform to an external object.
 2. The user-interface support device of claim 1, wherein said support member includes friction tape on said first side.
 3. The user-interface support device of claim 1, wherein said first side includes high friction geometrical shapes.
 4. The user-interface support device of claim 1, further comprising a hook positioned on an external surface of said support device.
 5. The user-interface support device of claim 1, further comprising a storage compartment.
 6. The user-interface support device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of an electronic data connector, a power connector, a wireless transceiver, and an internal power supply.
 7. The user-interface support device of claim 1, wherein said pad comprises at least one baffle filled with ballast.
 8. The user-interface support device of claim 1, further comprising an anchoring device connected to said pad.
 9. A user-interface support device comprising: a support member having a first side adapted to support a keyboard; a pad connected to a second side of said support member opposite said first side, wherein said pad is shaped to accommodate a user's lap.
 10. The user-interface support device of claim 9, wherein said support member includes friction tape on said first side.
 11. The user-interface support device of claim 9, wherein said first side includes high friction geometrical shapes.
 12. The user-interface support device of claim 9, further comprising a storage compartment.
 13. The user-interface support device of claim 9, further comprising at least one of an electronic data connector, a power connector, a wireless transceiver, and an internal power supply.
 14. The user-interface support device of claim 9, wherein said pad comprises at least one baffle filled with ballast.
 15. The user-interface support device of claim 9, further comprising an anchoring device connected to said pad.
 16. A user interface support device comprising: a support member having a first side adapted to support a user-interface device; a pad connected to a second side of said support member opposite said first side, wherein said pad includes at least one baffle filled with ballast.
 17. The user-interface support device of claim 16, wherein said support member includes friction tape on said first side.
 18. The user-interface support device of claim 16, wherein said first side includes high friction geometrical shapes.
 19. The user-interface support device of claim 16, further comprising a storage compartment.
 20. The user-interface support device of claim 16, further comprising at least one of an electronic data connector, a power connector, a wireless transceiver, and an internal power supply. 